Permits for native species under the Endangered Species Act

1842.pdf
[0.59 MB]
Link will provide options to open or save document.

File Format:

Adobe Reader

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Permits for Native Species
under the Endangered Species Act
Section 10 of the Endangered Species
Act (ESA) is designed to regulate a wide
range of activities that affect endangered
and threatened plants and animals and
the habitats upon which they depend.
Unless specifically allowed by permit, the
ESA prohibits activities that affect listed
species and their habitats. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and
the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) may issue permits for purposes
consistent with the conservation of the
species.
What activities are prohibited?
The ESA makes it unlawful to import or
export; deliver, receive, carry, transport,
or ship in interstate or foreign commerce
in the course of a commercial activity;
sell or offer for sale in interstate or
foreign commerce; take (includes harm,
harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,
trap, capture, or collect any wildlife
within the United States); take on the
high seas; possess, ship, deliver, carry,
transport, sell, or receive unlawfully
taken wildlife; remove and reduce to
possession any plant from areas under
Federal jurisdiction; maliciously damage
or destroy an endangered plant on areas
under Federal jurisdiction; and remove,
cut, dig up, or damage or destroy any
endangered plant in knowing violation
of any State law or regulation or in the
course of a violation of a State criminal
trespass law.* These prohibitions apply
to live or dead animals or plants, their
progeny (seeds in the case of plants), and
parts or products derived from them.
Some activities that might otherwise be
prohibited are exempt; see the next page.
Other activities are allowed in accordance
with permit provisions.
What kinds of activities can permits
authorize?
The activities authorized by permits
differ depending on whether the species
is listed as endangered or threatened.
An endangered species is in danger of
extinction throughtout all or a significant
portion of its range. A threatened species
is likely to become endangered in the
foreseeable future.
For endangered species, permits
may be issued for scientific research,
enhancement of propagation or survival,
and taking that is incidental to an
otherwise lawful activity.
For threatened species, in addition to
the above activities, permits also may
be issued for zoological, horticultural,
or botanical exhibition; educational use;
and special purposes consistent with the
ESA.
A person registered with the FWS may
obtain a captive-bred wildlife permit to
buy and sell within the United States live,
non-native endangered or threatened
animals that were captive born in the
United States for enhancement of species
propagation, provided the other person in
the transaction is registered for the same
species. A separate permit is needed to
import or export such species. Captive-bred
wildlife permits are not issued to
keep or breed endangered or threatened
animals as pets. Using protected
species as pets is not consistent with the
purposes of the ESA, which is aimed at
conservation of the species and recovery
of wild populations.
What are the different types of permits?
The FWS Endangered Species program,
located in each of our Regional offices,
issues permits for native endangered and
threatened species, except for import
or export permits, which are issued by
the Division of Management Authority.
NMFS also issues permits involving
certain aquatic species, as outlined below.
Permits issued by the Endangered
Species program are of three basic types:
incidental take permits, enhancement
of survival permits, and recovery and
interstate commerce permits.
Incidental take permits
Incidental take permits are required
when non-Federal activities will result
in take of threatened or endangered
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has a habitat conservation plan to support
the recovery of the western snowy plover by controlling invasive beach grass; managing
predators such as crows, ravens, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons; and shifting activities such
as dog-exercising and kite-flying away from the birds and their nests, eggs, and chicks. The
Department has a 25-year incidental take permit for occasions when recreation inadvertently
harms the threatened species. Western snowy plover photo by David S. Pitkin; habitat photo by
Kathleen Castelein, Oregon Biodiversity Information Center.
1
*It is unlawful to attempt to commit any of these offenses.
species. A habitat conservation plan or
“HCP” must accompany an application
for an incidental take permit. The habitat
conservation plan associated with the
permit ensures that the effects of the
authorized incidental take are adequately
minimized and mitigated.
Enhancement of survival permits
These permits are issued to non-Federal
landowners participating in Safe Harbor
Agreements or Candidate Conservation
Agreements with Assurances. These
agreements encourage landowners
to take actions to benefit species
while also providing assurances that
they will not be subject to additional
regulatory restrictions as a result of their
conservation actions.
Recovery and interstate commerce
permits
Recovery and interstate commerce
permits are issued to allow for take as
part of activities intended to foster the
recovery of listed species. A typical use of
a recovery permit is to allow for scientific
research on a listed species in order to
understand better the species’ long-term
survival needs. Interstate commerce
permits also allow transport and sale of
listed species across State lines (e.g., for
recovery purposes such as a breeding
program).
What situations are exempt from the
prohibitions of the ESA?
Pre-ESA
Species held in captivity or in a controlled
environment on (a) December 28, 1973,
or (b) the date of publication in the
Federal Register for final species listing,
whichever is later, are exempt from
prohibitions of the ESA, provided such
holding or any subsequent holding or use
of the specimen was not in the course of
a commercial activity (any activity that is
intended for profit or gain). An affidavit
and supporting material documenting
pre-ESA status must accompany the
shipment of listed species. A pre-ESA
exemption does not apply to wildlife,
including parts and products, offered
for sale. Any endangered or threatened
specimens born in captivity from pre-
ESA parents is fully protected and is not
considered pre-ESA.
Antiques
Antiques, including scrimshaw, may
be imported into the United States if
accompanied by documentation that
shows the article is at least 100 years old
and has not been repaired or modified
with any part of an endangered or
threatened species since December 28,
1973. Such antiques must enter through
a U.S. Customs Service port. If the
antique contains a species listed under
the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES), the shipment must
be accompanied by a Pre-Convention
Certificate.
Special Rules
For a species that is listed as threatened
or as an experimental population, special
rules may allow otherwise prohibited
activities. Some foreign species that have
special rules include several primates,
With staff from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service who helped him create ponds for the
Oregon chub, Dave Budeau celebrates the release of the fish on his property. Mr. Budeau is enrolled in a Safe Harbor Agreement designed
to contribute to the recovery of the species. These agreements assure landowners that they will not be required to undertake management
activities beyond those specified. Photos by Kim Garner, USFWS
2
the African elephant, Nile crocodile, and
leopard. Some native species that have
special rules include the Utah prairie
dog, Louisiana black bear, greenback
cutthroat trout, and six sea turtle species.
Intrastate Commerce
Commercial activities that take place
entirely in one State and involve legally
acquired endangered or threantened
species are not prohibited by the ESA.
However, many States have their
own laws which regulate activities
involving protected species. Contact
the appropriate State agency before
undertaking activities involving
endangered or threatened wildlife and
plants.
Offer for Sale
Endangered and threatened species
may be advertised for sale provided the
advertisement states that no sale may
be consummated until an interstate
commerce permit has been obtained from
the FWS.
Loans and Gifts
Lawfully taken and held endangered
and threatened species may be shipped
interstate as a bona fide gift or loan if
there is no barter, credit, other form
of compensation, or intent to profit
or gain. A standard breeding loan,
where no money or other consideration
changes hands but some offspring are
returned to the lender of a breeding
animal, is not considered a commercial
activity and, thus, is not prohibited by
Biologists, students, and volunteers from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries,
University of Maine, and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor Canada lynx kittens in the
wild, under an enhancement of survival permit for the threatened species. The team weighed
and measured the kittens, registered them via ear tags and radio-frequency identification
chips, and took DNA samples. Photo by James Weliver, USFWS
Applying for a permit requires a completed
application form, any necessary supporting
materials (such as a Habitat Conservation
Plan), and an application fee.
the ESA and does not require a permit.
Documentation of such an activity should
accompany shipment.
Hybrids
Hybrids are offspring of animals or
plants whose parents are different
species or subspecies and, in the case
of the ESA, at least one parent is a
listed species. Hybrid offspring of
animals bred or propagated in captivity
are not protected by the ESA. It is
recommended that breeding records
be maintained to show parentage and
hybrid status. CITES and laws such as
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
consider hybrids protected.
Raptors
Prohibitions under the ESA do not apply
to any endangered or threatened raptors
legally held in captivity since November
10, 1978, or to any progeny, provided that
they are possessed and banded under
the terms of an MBTA permit and are
identified in the earliest annual report
required by permit. The bald eagle is
protected by the MBTA and the Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA).
Seeds from Artificially Propagated
Threatened Plants
No permits are required for activities
involving seeds from artificially
propagated specimens of threatened
plants. However, seeds must be
accompanied by a label stating that they
are of cultivated origin.
What other offices issue permits for
endangered or threatened species?
The FWS Division of Management
Authority, located in our headquarters
office, issues permits for foreign
endangered and threatened species, and
for import/export of native and foreign
species. It is also responsible for issuing
captive breeding permits and permits
allowing the use of live specimens of
listed species for conservation education.
NMFS has jurisdiction for whales,
seals, and sea lions. NMFS also has
jurisdiction for sea turtles in the water;
the FWS has jurisdiction on land.
Jurisdiction varies between NMFS and
the FWS for anadromous fish such as
salmon, trout, steelhead, and sturgeon.
The FWS has jurisdiction for listed
marine mammals such as the West Indian
manatee and southern sea otter, as well
as all sea birds. To see whether a species
is under the jurisdiction of NMFS, go to
the Office of Protected Resources Web
page. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
species/esa/
What other laws apply?
Depending on the species involved,
other requirements may apply under the
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
3
Flora http://www.fws.gov/international/
DMA_DSA/CITES/pdf/cpc.pdf, the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
mbpermits.html, the Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/
lawenforcement/eaglelaws/eaglelaws.
html, the Wild Bird Conservation Act,
the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the
Lacey Act, and State, tribal, or local law.
How do I apply for a permit?
Applications and instructions for
native endangered and threatened
species permits can be found on our
Permits website at: http://www.fws.
gov/endangered/permits/index.html,
or by contacting your closest Regional
Endangered Species office.
A fee is required to apply for a permit,
and to amend an existing permit. Please
see the instructions in each permit
application form for further information.
Applicants should allow at least 90 days
for processing the completed application.
What about other types of permits?
For information on ESA permits issued
by NMFS, go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.
gov/pr/permits/.
The FWS Division of Management
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Native Endangered & Threatened Species
Permit Contacts
FWS Midwest Region (3): IA, IL, IN,
MI, MN, MO, OH, WI
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990
Bloomington, Minnesota 55437-1458
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/
Phone: 612/713-5343
email: permitsR3ES@fws.gov
Fax: 612/713-5292
FWS Southeast Region (4): AL, AR, FL,
GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, Puerto
Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/#
Phone: 404/679-7313
email: permitsR4ES@fws.gov
Fax: 404/679-7081
FWS Northeast Region (5): CT, DC, DE,
MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA,
VT, WV
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-9589
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/
endangered/
Phone: 413/253-8615
email: permitsR5ES@fws.gov
Fax: 413/253-8482
FWS Pacific Region (1): HI, ID, WA, OR,
American Samoa, Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and
the Pacific Trust Territories
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232-4181
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/
endangered/index.html
Phone: 503/231-2071
email: permitsR1ES@fws.gov
Fax: 503/231-6131
FWS Southwest Region (2): AZ, NM,
OK, TX
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
500 Gold Avenue S.W. (street address)
P.O. Box 1306 (mailing address)
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103-1306
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
EndangeredSpecies/
Phone: 505/248-6649
email: permitsR2ES@fws.gov
Fax: 505/248-6788
FWS Mountain-Prairie Region (6): CO,
KS, MT, NE, ND, SD, UT, WY
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
Denver Federal Center
P.O. Box 25486
Denver, Colorado 80225-0486
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/
endspp/
Phone: 303/236-4256
email: permitsR6ES@fws.gov
Fax: 303/236-0027
FWS Alaska Region (7): AK
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
1011 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/
endangered/index.htm
Phone: 907/786-3323
email: permitsR7ES@fws.gov
Fax: 907/786-3350
FWS Pacific Southwest Region (8): CA
and NV
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606
Sacramento, California 95825-1846
http://www.fws.gov/cno/es/recovery.html
Phone: 916/414-6464
email: permitsR8ES@fws.gov
Fax: 916/414-6486
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Program
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-2171
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
March 2013
8
4
Authority issues import/export permits
for native species and all permits for
foreign species. Visit the Web site at:
http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA_
DSA/DMA_Who_We_Are.html.
For information on other types of FWS
permits, visit our main permit Web site
at http://www.fws.gov/permits/.

Click tabs to swap between content that is broken into logical sections.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Permits for Native Species
under the Endangered Species Act
Section 10 of the Endangered Species
Act (ESA) is designed to regulate a wide
range of activities that affect endangered
and threatened plants and animals and
the habitats upon which they depend.
Unless specifically allowed by permit, the
ESA prohibits activities that affect listed
species and their habitats. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and
the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) may issue permits for purposes
consistent with the conservation of the
species.
What activities are prohibited?
The ESA makes it unlawful to import or
export; deliver, receive, carry, transport,
or ship in interstate or foreign commerce
in the course of a commercial activity;
sell or offer for sale in interstate or
foreign commerce; take (includes harm,
harass, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,
trap, capture, or collect any wildlife
within the United States); take on the
high seas; possess, ship, deliver, carry,
transport, sell, or receive unlawfully
taken wildlife; remove and reduce to
possession any plant from areas under
Federal jurisdiction; maliciously damage
or destroy an endangered plant on areas
under Federal jurisdiction; and remove,
cut, dig up, or damage or destroy any
endangered plant in knowing violation
of any State law or regulation or in the
course of a violation of a State criminal
trespass law.* These prohibitions apply
to live or dead animals or plants, their
progeny (seeds in the case of plants), and
parts or products derived from them.
Some activities that might otherwise be
prohibited are exempt; see the next page.
Other activities are allowed in accordance
with permit provisions.
What kinds of activities can permits
authorize?
The activities authorized by permits
differ depending on whether the species
is listed as endangered or threatened.
An endangered species is in danger of
extinction throughtout all or a significant
portion of its range. A threatened species
is likely to become endangered in the
foreseeable future.
For endangered species, permits
may be issued for scientific research,
enhancement of propagation or survival,
and taking that is incidental to an
otherwise lawful activity.
For threatened species, in addition to
the above activities, permits also may
be issued for zoological, horticultural,
or botanical exhibition; educational use;
and special purposes consistent with the
ESA.
A person registered with the FWS may
obtain a captive-bred wildlife permit to
buy and sell within the United States live,
non-native endangered or threatened
animals that were captive born in the
United States for enhancement of species
propagation, provided the other person in
the transaction is registered for the same
species. A separate permit is needed to
import or export such species. Captive-bred
wildlife permits are not issued to
keep or breed endangered or threatened
animals as pets. Using protected
species as pets is not consistent with the
purposes of the ESA, which is aimed at
conservation of the species and recovery
of wild populations.
What are the different types of permits?
The FWS Endangered Species program,
located in each of our Regional offices,
issues permits for native endangered and
threatened species, except for import
or export permits, which are issued by
the Division of Management Authority.
NMFS also issues permits involving
certain aquatic species, as outlined below.
Permits issued by the Endangered
Species program are of three basic types:
incidental take permits, enhancement
of survival permits, and recovery and
interstate commerce permits.
Incidental take permits
Incidental take permits are required
when non-Federal activities will result
in take of threatened or endangered
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has a habitat conservation plan to support
the recovery of the western snowy plover by controlling invasive beach grass; managing
predators such as crows, ravens, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons; and shifting activities such
as dog-exercising and kite-flying away from the birds and their nests, eggs, and chicks. The
Department has a 25-year incidental take permit for occasions when recreation inadvertently
harms the threatened species. Western snowy plover photo by David S. Pitkin; habitat photo by
Kathleen Castelein, Oregon Biodiversity Information Center.
1
*It is unlawful to attempt to commit any of these offenses.
species. A habitat conservation plan or
“HCP” must accompany an application
for an incidental take permit. The habitat
conservation plan associated with the
permit ensures that the effects of the
authorized incidental take are adequately
minimized and mitigated.
Enhancement of survival permits
These permits are issued to non-Federal
landowners participating in Safe Harbor
Agreements or Candidate Conservation
Agreements with Assurances. These
agreements encourage landowners
to take actions to benefit species
while also providing assurances that
they will not be subject to additional
regulatory restrictions as a result of their
conservation actions.
Recovery and interstate commerce
permits
Recovery and interstate commerce
permits are issued to allow for take as
part of activities intended to foster the
recovery of listed species. A typical use of
a recovery permit is to allow for scientific
research on a listed species in order to
understand better the species’ long-term
survival needs. Interstate commerce
permits also allow transport and sale of
listed species across State lines (e.g., for
recovery purposes such as a breeding
program).
What situations are exempt from the
prohibitions of the ESA?
Pre-ESA
Species held in captivity or in a controlled
environment on (a) December 28, 1973,
or (b) the date of publication in the
Federal Register for final species listing,
whichever is later, are exempt from
prohibitions of the ESA, provided such
holding or any subsequent holding or use
of the specimen was not in the course of
a commercial activity (any activity that is
intended for profit or gain). An affidavit
and supporting material documenting
pre-ESA status must accompany the
shipment of listed species. A pre-ESA
exemption does not apply to wildlife,
including parts and products, offered
for sale. Any endangered or threatened
specimens born in captivity from pre-
ESA parents is fully protected and is not
considered pre-ESA.
Antiques
Antiques, including scrimshaw, may
be imported into the United States if
accompanied by documentation that
shows the article is at least 100 years old
and has not been repaired or modified
with any part of an endangered or
threatened species since December 28,
1973. Such antiques must enter through
a U.S. Customs Service port. If the
antique contains a species listed under
the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES), the shipment must
be accompanied by a Pre-Convention
Certificate.
Special Rules
For a species that is listed as threatened
or as an experimental population, special
rules may allow otherwise prohibited
activities. Some foreign species that have
special rules include several primates,
With staff from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service who helped him create ponds for the
Oregon chub, Dave Budeau celebrates the release of the fish on his property. Mr. Budeau is enrolled in a Safe Harbor Agreement designed
to contribute to the recovery of the species. These agreements assure landowners that they will not be required to undertake management
activities beyond those specified. Photos by Kim Garner, USFWS
2
the African elephant, Nile crocodile, and
leopard. Some native species that have
special rules include the Utah prairie
dog, Louisiana black bear, greenback
cutthroat trout, and six sea turtle species.
Intrastate Commerce
Commercial activities that take place
entirely in one State and involve legally
acquired endangered or threantened
species are not prohibited by the ESA.
However, many States have their
own laws which regulate activities
involving protected species. Contact
the appropriate State agency before
undertaking activities involving
endangered or threatened wildlife and
plants.
Offer for Sale
Endangered and threatened species
may be advertised for sale provided the
advertisement states that no sale may
be consummated until an interstate
commerce permit has been obtained from
the FWS.
Loans and Gifts
Lawfully taken and held endangered
and threatened species may be shipped
interstate as a bona fide gift or loan if
there is no barter, credit, other form
of compensation, or intent to profit
or gain. A standard breeding loan,
where no money or other consideration
changes hands but some offspring are
returned to the lender of a breeding
animal, is not considered a commercial
activity and, thus, is not prohibited by
Biologists, students, and volunteers from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries,
University of Maine, and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor Canada lynx kittens in the
wild, under an enhancement of survival permit for the threatened species. The team weighed
and measured the kittens, registered them via ear tags and radio-frequency identification
chips, and took DNA samples. Photo by James Weliver, USFWS
Applying for a permit requires a completed
application form, any necessary supporting
materials (such as a Habitat Conservation
Plan), and an application fee.
the ESA and does not require a permit.
Documentation of such an activity should
accompany shipment.
Hybrids
Hybrids are offspring of animals or
plants whose parents are different
species or subspecies and, in the case
of the ESA, at least one parent is a
listed species. Hybrid offspring of
animals bred or propagated in captivity
are not protected by the ESA. It is
recommended that breeding records
be maintained to show parentage and
hybrid status. CITES and laws such as
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)
consider hybrids protected.
Raptors
Prohibitions under the ESA do not apply
to any endangered or threatened raptors
legally held in captivity since November
10, 1978, or to any progeny, provided that
they are possessed and banded under
the terms of an MBTA permit and are
identified in the earliest annual report
required by permit. The bald eagle is
protected by the MBTA and the Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA).
Seeds from Artificially Propagated
Threatened Plants
No permits are required for activities
involving seeds from artificially
propagated specimens of threatened
plants. However, seeds must be
accompanied by a label stating that they
are of cultivated origin.
What other offices issue permits for
endangered or threatened species?
The FWS Division of Management
Authority, located in our headquarters
office, issues permits for foreign
endangered and threatened species, and
for import/export of native and foreign
species. It is also responsible for issuing
captive breeding permits and permits
allowing the use of live specimens of
listed species for conservation education.
NMFS has jurisdiction for whales,
seals, and sea lions. NMFS also has
jurisdiction for sea turtles in the water;
the FWS has jurisdiction on land.
Jurisdiction varies between NMFS and
the FWS for anadromous fish such as
salmon, trout, steelhead, and sturgeon.
The FWS has jurisdiction for listed
marine mammals such as the West Indian
manatee and southern sea otter, as well
as all sea birds. To see whether a species
is under the jurisdiction of NMFS, go to
the Office of Protected Resources Web
page. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
species/esa/
What other laws apply?
Depending on the species involved,
other requirements may apply under the
Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
3
Flora http://www.fws.gov/international/
DMA_DSA/CITES/pdf/cpc.pdf, the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/
mbpermits.html, the Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/
lawenforcement/eaglelaws/eaglelaws.
html, the Wild Bird Conservation Act,
the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the
Lacey Act, and State, tribal, or local law.
How do I apply for a permit?
Applications and instructions for
native endangered and threatened
species permits can be found on our
Permits website at: http://www.fws.
gov/endangered/permits/index.html,
or by contacting your closest Regional
Endangered Species office.
A fee is required to apply for a permit,
and to amend an existing permit. Please
see the instructions in each permit
application form for further information.
Applicants should allow at least 90 days
for processing the completed application.
What about other types of permits?
For information on ESA permits issued
by NMFS, go to: http://www.nmfs.noaa.
gov/pr/permits/.
The FWS Division of Management
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Native Endangered & Threatened Species
Permit Contacts
FWS Midwest Region (3): IA, IL, IN,
MI, MN, MO, OH, WI
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990
Bloomington, Minnesota 55437-1458
http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/
Phone: 612/713-5343
email: permitsR3ES@fws.gov
Fax: 612/713-5292
FWS Southeast Region (4): AL, AR, FL,
GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, Puerto
Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
1875 Century Blvd., Suite 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/es/#
Phone: 404/679-7313
email: permitsR4ES@fws.gov
Fax: 404/679-7081
FWS Northeast Region (5): CT, DC, DE,
MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA,
VT, WV
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
300 Westgate Center Drive
Hadley, Massachusetts 01035-9589
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/
endangered/
Phone: 413/253-8615
email: permitsR5ES@fws.gov
Fax: 413/253-8482
FWS Pacific Region (1): HI, ID, WA, OR,
American Samoa, Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and
the Pacific Trust Territories
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
911 NE 11th Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97232-4181
http://www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/
endangered/index.html
Phone: 503/231-2071
email: permitsR1ES@fws.gov
Fax: 503/231-6131
FWS Southwest Region (2): AZ, NM,
OK, TX
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
500 Gold Avenue S.W. (street address)
P.O. Box 1306 (mailing address)
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103-1306
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/
EndangeredSpecies/
Phone: 505/248-6649
email: permitsR2ES@fws.gov
Fax: 505/248-6788
FWS Mountain-Prairie Region (6): CO,
KS, MT, NE, ND, SD, UT, WY
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
Denver Federal Center
P.O. Box 25486
Denver, Colorado 80225-0486
http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/
endspp/
Phone: 303/236-4256
email: permitsR6ES@fws.gov
Fax: 303/236-0027
FWS Alaska Region (7): AK
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
1011 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, Alaska 99503-6199
http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/
endangered/index.htm
Phone: 907/786-3323
email: permitsR7ES@fws.gov
Fax: 907/786-3350
FWS Pacific Southwest Region (8): CA
and NV
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Permit Office
2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2606
Sacramento, California 95825-1846
http://www.fws.gov/cno/es/recovery.html
Phone: 916/414-6464
email: permitsR8ES@fws.gov
Fax: 916/414-6486
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Endangered Species Program
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-2171
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
March 2013
8
4
Authority issues import/export permits
for native species and all permits for
foreign species. Visit the Web site at:
http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA_
DSA/DMA_Who_We_Are.html.
For information on other types of FWS
permits, visit our main permit Web site
at http://www.fws.gov/permits/.